Parathyroidectomy and Osteoporosis- It Makes a Difference!

This week I received an email from a patient who underwent successful parathyroid surgery about 2 years ago. Her case was interesting in a number of ways, but especially because she had known for over 10 years that her calcium was slightly elevated, and her physicians had told her they would continue to “just watch it”. During that time frame, her bone density gradually deteriorated to the point that she had frank osteoporosis, only in her early 60’s. This was especially distressing to her, as she worked in physical education. In addition to the osteoporosis, she was finding herself more and more exhausted with less and less activity. She decided to investigate on her own about causes of high calcium, and it was then she referred herself to me.

Her calcium was in the mid-10 range and her PTH level was in the mid-50’s. It’s important to understand that even though the “normal” range for PTH is 15-65, when the calcium is high, the PTH level should be either very low normal, or below normal. Anything else means the parathyroid glands are producing too much hormone. So it was very obvious she had primary hyperparathyroidism.

We scheduled her outpatient surgery soon after, and immediately cured her of her high calcium problem. She had a single adenoma that we could easily see on her preoperative ultrasound. The very next week she was already feeling a new surge of energy she had not experienced for years. In addition, I told her that there is good data to show that bone density can improve without any further treatment after curative parathyroid surgery. And I certainly believe the data, but it’s always nice to see real validation of that. And so, here is her note to me this week:

“Dear Dr. Kennedy,

I hope you are doing well. You operated on my parathyroid in June, 2019.  Since then, my blood calcium levels have been perfect.

This week I had a bone density evaluation for the first time since the surgery two years ago. The results were AMAZING. It showed that after years of having osteoporosis, I have improved in the density of my bones & the results showed osteopenia. 

I just wanted to let you know & to thank you again for all you did for me.

MK”

Osteoporosis and high calcium (usually from hyperparathyroidism) is not a good combination. But the good news is, you can get your hyperparathyroid condition treated with a simple curative operation, and then watch your bone density improve! Here is a link specifically related to osteoporosis.